Séanín Smith is an intelligent, outgoing and beautiful 23 year old girl from Belleeks Co. Armagh,
who suffers from an array of debilitating illnesses.
Her health is rapidly deteriorating and doctors in Northern Ireland do not have the understanding
or knowledge to deal with her conditions.
We are forced to seek help abroad with private specialist clinics in London and America.
This young girl has suffered tragically over the past couple of years with her life now being
barely recognisable.
Though through all of this Séanín has never complained, never asked 'why me?', instead she puts a
smile on her face and gets on with it.
Her determination and strength to fight on cannot be underestimated. She is a true inspiration!

Séanín has been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder
that affects the collagen in the body.

There are 7 different types of EDS and Séanín has been diagnosed with type 3 Hypermobility.
EDS can affect individuals in a multitude of ways, having a wider range of joint movement
than usual, joint dislocations and subluxations to more severe problems with the organs.

Over the last 6 months, Séanín's condition has deteriorated rapidly. She was diagnosed with Cranial
Instability and can no longer support her head, she has lost an inch in height as her skill has
sunk downward onto her spine over the last few months. Due to this, her other health problems have
dramatically worsened, in addition to having frequent prolonged periods of unconsciousness,
seisures, breathing difficulties and paralysis in her arms and legs.

Séanín urgently needs fusion stabilisation surgery in America before things get any worse.
After months of research and communications, she has just received great news: Dr. Fraser Henderson
wants to see Séanín at the start of July. Due to her neurological problems, she is unable to fly so
Séanín will sail to New York at the end of June and travel on to Maryland for extensive testing and
investigations. It is vital her family and friends raise enough funds to enable this surgery to
take place.